6 Huiiting in the Golden Days. 



world air pervading it. The gardens, laid out in 

 the Dutch style, still bear signs of their original 

 grandeur, although they are now somewhat neglected. 

 No doubt Court ladies have graced the walks with their 

 presence, for the villagers speak with veneration of the 

 quality that once resided within its hospitable portals. 

 The shape of the beds recalls my lady's flower garden, 

 and a broken sun-dial covered with lichen and an old 

 stone seat bearing unmistakable signs of " anno domini " 

 help to arouse pleasant memories of by-gone days. 



On entering the house, the first thing that claims 

 attention is a magnificent oak staircase, made so wide 

 and strong that no doubt the architect built it with 

 a view of allowing enterprising horsemen to ride up 

 to bed on horse-back, which was a favourite amuse- 

 ment in the olden days, so 'tis said. The hall is laid 

 with good stone flags ; opposite the door is a generous 

 fireplace, where a couple of large logs blaze on the 

 andirons and make things cheerful at Christmas time — 

 for our forefathers did a good deal of entertaining in 

 their halls, where the young folk could make as much 

 noise as they liked, without disturbing the old people 

 over the cards and negus. 



Then what cellars there are under that house ! 

 Enough room to stow away a regiment of soldiers ; but 

 put to better account than that, for our ancestors were 

 a very independent set, and liked to be their own factors. 

 There are innumerable cupboards, rooms and recesses, 

 used for pickling, baking, brewing, and the storage of 

 apples and cheeses, also a large vault-shaped room well 

 stocked with wine, for it is a very necessary thing to 

 have ample room for laying down port, as three-bottle 

 men like their wine to be old and crusted. The kitchen 

 is well worth a visit, its quaint ingle-nook and hearth 



